"Your Highness!"
Fraulein's words threw the entire great hall into a stir.
"Please think it over, Your Highness!"
"Yes—if you leave, the castle…"
Fraulein turned, faced her subordinates, and spoke softly: "The castle wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway. We can't hole up here forever.
I've known that for a long time. You should, too."
The vampires in the palace looked at one another, at a loss for words.
"You depend on me, and you're willing to give everything to fight for me. I've always been grateful for that. But the truth is, there's nothing I can do—nothing I can protect.
One day, the Supreme King's army will send a real force, or the Supreme King himself will come and end these days of living in fear. It's only a matter of time.
From the very beginning, we've only ever had one way out."
A brief hush fell over the vampires.
"So that's why you've decided to face the Supreme King?" asked the Vampire's Curse.
Fraulein nodded.
"On my own, I have no chance of winning. And I don't want to… and I can't bring you along to die a meaningless death with me."
She paused, turning to glance at Kira and Jaden.
"But these two—travelers from another world, extraordinary duelists… I can feel something different about them.
It might be the faint hope we need to defeat the Supreme King. I don't know. But I'm willing to bet everything on it—and offer up all of myself."
Jaden, confident as ever, grinned: "Don't worry. This 'Supreme King' guy? We'll knock him flat without breaking a sweat. We promise—he'll be picking his teeth up off the floor."
Fraulein bowed politely to him in thanks, though her delicate face remained unreadable. The red moonlight, filtering through the lattice, lit her profile; that pale face looked almost translucent.
The bloodkin looked at Kira and Jaden, then back at their young lady. The turn of events was too sudden: Her Highness had decided, without warning, to run off with two men of unknown background and origin. Naturally, everyone felt it was unwise, but no one could think how to dissuade her.
Only the Vampire's Curse—who had experienced Kira's power firsthand—seemed, after an inner struggle, to step forward slowly.
"I understand. If that is your decision—if this is the only way you see… then do what you believe is right, Your Highness.
But remember this, at all times: No matter where you are or what choices you make, we are always with you."
"Thank you," Fraulein nodded. "From now on, the castle is in your care. And if I don't come back…"
"That won't happen."
The Vampire's Curse shook his head and cast a meaningful look at Kira.
"I don't know why… but I think I believe in this warrior from another world."
Jaden planted his fists on his hips, clapped a hand on Kira's shoulder, and laughed: "Right? I told you—You can always count on Kira. He's the invincible Duel King!"
Kira shot him a look and slid two steps sideways to slip out from under his hand.
Invincible is a debuff—he wanted no part of that.
"Rest assured. I'll hold this castle until you return. And although I cannot accompany you…"
The Vampire's Curse stepped forward and briefly closed his eyes. Blood-mist gathered in his hand—as if splitting from his body—Solidified into the form of a card.
He offered the card up, went down on one knee, and placed it in Fraulein's hands.
"Then at least allow me… to become your strength."
"Okay."
She nodded and took the card.
Then she turned, and her own figure briefly closed its eyes as well. Her body became translucent amid a surge of black haze, faded into mist, and finally condensed into a card that dropped into Kira's hand.
Kira caught the two new cards that had appeared.
Vampire's Curse—original-text-only effect; an undying ability to revive and power up infinitely.
Vampire Fraulein—a hand-trap and blood-for-attack capability. More importantly, it's a card housing a real spirit.
Spirit +1.
A new spirit joining the roster?
Kira would never say no—especially when this Fraulein came bundled with an entire city's worth of vampire troops.
They had a rough idea where the Supreme King's Castle was, but it wasn't in their current dimension. They needed to head to the nearest rift in this dimension—the junction to another—ascend to a higher stratum of worlds, and only then could they approach the Supreme King's Castle.
It was late already, and they'd done enough for one day. After a quick discussion, Kira and Jaden decided to spend the night in the vampire castle, log off, return to reality, and continue tomorrow evening.
Jaden was still unwilling to quit—he wanted to keep playing—but when Kira reminded him they had Professor Crowler's class and a pop quiz tomorrow, he abandoned the idea of grabbing a couple of vampires for a few more duels and logged off for now.
…
Back to reality.
Kira rose from the bed, took off the link device and tossed it aside, then turned to the bathroom to wash up.
A phantom drifted out of the Duel Disk he'd removed, took on a spirit form, and silently stood in the dorm room.
Fraulein blinked, slowly looked around, and curiously took in the sight before her.
So this… is the world the heroes come from.
The legendary spirit realm's dimension filled with duelists.
She looked around in wonder, then her expression froze, slightly dazed.
Because she saw the white-robed mage she'd glimpsed on the battlefield—the one who had cleaved through enemy lines like a peerless war god. Silver hair, a pristine white robe—she was standing in a corner of the room, silent, meeting her gaze.
Fraulein stared for a heartbeat, then realized this was a friend. Somewhat nervously, she raised a hand in greeting.
"H-hello," she said.
Silent Magician didn't speak. She just looked at her.
Before Fraulein grew too awkward, a voice sounded from behind her: "Don't mind her. She's like that with everyone. Even to Master—he's never heard her speak."
Fraulein turned again. Somehow, Jinzo had appeared behind her. She knew him too: Kira had summoned him in that battle against Dark World Knight Zure outside the castle.
But before she could speak, a shadow oozing malice surfaced from the corner.
Caius the Shadow Monarch: "Heh. A mere expendable cannon fodder trying to put on airs before a newcomer?"
Jinzo, who'd had his arms folded in a sage's pose, bristled immediately: "Who are you calling cannon fodder?"
"Who knows?"
"You'd better show some respect to our senior," Jinzo's eyes flashed with a dark glow, as if ready to throw down. "Or I'll teach you some manners myself."
"A 'senior'? You, who can't stay on the field for two turns, dare use the word?"
"Oh? You think you're stronger than me?"
"I've taken heads for Master," Caius said righteously. "Have you?"
Jinzo spluttered, raising both hands and already starting to rub together a Psycho Wave.
"Wanna go?"
Caius didn't flinch and squared up.
"Like I'm scared of you?"
We both have 2400 base stats—who's afraid of whom?
Just as the two were about to clash, the bathroom door rattled open.
Kira came out yawning: "What's all the noise? What are you doing out here?"
He took one look and saw Jinzo and Caius with their arms around each other's shoulders, the picture of brotherly harmony.
"Nothing, Master—just showing the newcomer our fine team atmosphere," Caius rumbled.
"Exactly," Jinzo nodded vigorously.
Fraulein: "…"
She suddenly wondered if she'd made a terrible decision.
Life from here on might be… exhausting.